Photograph-exhibitor.



N0. 682,327. Patentd Sept. l0, IQUI.

J. HUMPAL.

PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBITOR.

(Application filed Apr. 8, 1901.)

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UNITED STATES ATnT firmen.

.IOSEPI-IINE IIUMPAL, OF DAVID CITY, NEBRASKA.

PHOTOGRAPH-EXHIBITOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 682,327, dated September 10, 1901.

Application tied April s, 1901.

T0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JosEPHINE HUMPAL, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at David City, in the countyof Butler and State of Nebraska, have invented a new and useful Photograph-Exhibitor, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to photograph-exhibitors; and the object of the same is to provide a simple and efficient device of this class which is convenient in its operation, strong and durable, capable of holding and displaying a large number of photographs within a comparatively small compass, and also to provide means forbringing different photographs readily to the View of an observer.

The invention consists in the construction and arrangement of the several parts, which will be more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure l is an elevation of the improved device, showing it supplied with a transparent covering-globe. Fig. 2 is a transverse vertical section of the same. Fig. 3 is a detail perspective view ot one of the photograph-supporting members. Fig. 4 is a detail perspective view of placing means for operating in conjunction with some of the photograph-supporting members.

Similar numerals of reference are employed to indicate corresponding parts in the several views.

The numeral l designates a base, which is preferably formed of wood of a suitable thickness and diametrical extent and provided with an edge groove 2 to reduce the thickness thereof for a purpose which will presently appear. Rising centrally from the said base is a fixed spindle 3, with a series of washers A immovably secured thereto, as shown by Fig. 2. On the said spindle a se ries of photograph-holding members are rotatably mounted, each member comprising upper and lower triangular spiders 5, with clip-arms G at the terminal angles thereof arranged vertically to embrace photograph-re- 'ceiving leaves or wings 7, formed in the present instance with two vertically-alined 'display-openings 8 in each. It will therefore be understood that each member includes three leaves or Wings, which may be of any suitable material and of such ccn- Serial No. 54,884. (No model.)

struction that the photographs can be readily slipped thereinto or withdrawn therefrom. The members, as shown, are capable of holding a maximum of six photographs in each; but this number can be easily increased or decreased b v varying the proportions of the leaves, or at times only one photograph may be placed in each leaf or wing at the option and selection of the user and in accordance with the size and character of the photograph. The triangular spiders 5 are closed and formed of suitable sheet metal, which is bent downv to form a surrounding ange 9 for each spider to coverthe Washers a, Where the latter are used and engaged, and also to produce a neater appearance. -The spiders l5 are attached to the leaves or wings of the several separate photograph members at different vertical elevations, so that said spiders may be mounted on the spindle without: interference, and thereby permit the use of a greater number of said members. In the present instance three separate members are employed, making a total of nine leaves o1" wings, and the lower spiders of the several members bear on the washers A to thus maintain the spiders of all the members in constant regular-spaced relation, the washers and lower spiders being so disposed in relation to each other that the upper and lower ends of the wings or leaves will be in exact alinement in horizontal planes. It is obvious that the number of members could be increased, as the invention is not limited to the use of any exact number.

A placing device is used in connection with the members to turn the leaves or wings into convenient viewing position, and consists of a wire rod l0, secured at its inner end to have free horizontal and vertical movement. The rod l0 is intermediately bent to cause the outer portion t0 depress into the groove 2 of the base l and is also provided with an intermediate projection ll at right angles thereto and an outer finger-loop 12. In operating this attachment it is moved horizontally over the base until the projection ll is clear of the wing or leat desired to be engaged and then turned to bring said projection against the leaf or wing and push the latter around to the position desired, and thereby shift the Whole section. At times the projection 1l ICO will be in proper position to operate in conjunction with the leaves or Wings, as just set forth, Without horizontally moving it and simply rotate the rod to turn up the said projection.

On the upper end of the spindle au elongated head 13 is mounted, and attached thereto are a series of skeleton or wire holders 1-1 in the form of loops, having the extremities drawn together and vbent down at an angle to enter the upper end of said head. From the vsaid extremities, which are secured to the head, the holders are shaped to provide outwardly-inclined rests 15, and the looped portions are turned upwardly over the plane of said rests to provide outer retainers 16. The said holders are adapted to have photographs disposed and retained therein, as clearly shown, and thereby form means for displaying the same and provide an advantageous addition to the entire device and increase the capacity of the same. The said holders 14 may he particularly used for displaying very large photographs.

The improved device as thus far described is adapted to be used alone without any other attachment and maybe suitablyornamented by plating the metal parts, coloring or embellishing the same with artistic designs, and particularly so treating the wings or leaves. The photographs held by the improved device can be readily seen from a distance, and the arrangement of the samein the Wings or leaves and the holders 14 will produce a very pleasing result. It is proposed at times` t0 use a transparent or glass covering globe or analogous device 17, as shown, to prevent dust from gathering on the pictures or photog-raphs or to avoid other injury to the latter.. This covering may he of the'shape shown or any other form applicable to the purpose, and when said covering is used it may be readily removed to view the photographs or remain applied, and in the latter event the rod 10 can be easily Worked or operated under theV edge thereof.

The device is also adapted for holding pictures other than photographs or any other devices, and when necessary changes in the form,size, proportions, and minor details,may be resorted to without departing from the f principle of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is- 1. In a photograph-exhibitor, the combination of a base having an upright spindle with an upper head, a series of holding members comprising a pair of spiders in each instance with leaves or wings attached thereto and rotatably mounted on the said spindle, the spiders ot' the separate members being arranged at different vertical elevations to avoid interference with eachother on the spindle, and a series ot skeleton photograph-supports fixed to the said head and inclined inwardly in an upward direction and standing out from said head.

2. In a photograph-exhibitor, the combination of supporting` means, a series of holding members rotatably mounted thereon and each comprising a series of connected leaves or wings with openings to display photographs, and aplacing-rod movably connected at its inner end to freely swing in a horizontal plane under and having a projection to engage the lower ends of said wings or leaves.v

In testimony that l claim the foregoing as my own l have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPHINE HUMPAL.

Witnesses:

ALoNZo TAYLOR, W. W. STOWELL. 

